Deputy Donivan South was dispatched to a mini storage facility on SH 37 in the Mineola area. Deputy South was advised by the storage unit manager that she had received a call from a tenant who informed her that the gate would not open with the access code and it appeared that the gate had been damaged. The manager further stated that when she arrived she noticed that someone had cut the chain to gain access onto the property. The manager further stated that three units had the locks cut off but it was unknown at that time if anything was missing from the units. Evidence was collected at the scene and the case forwarded to CID (Criminal Investigation Division) for continued investigation.

Deputy South was dispatched to a location on CR 3590 in the Winnsboro area in reference to an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. In the complainant’s call to 911, he advised dispatch that he had last seen his vehicle before going to bed the previous night. The caller further stated that both sets of keys were left in the car. Upon the deputy’s arrival, he was given a tip from a third party that led to information that the complainant had fled from Gilmer police the following evening and abandoned the car. Deputy South subsequently contacted Gilmer police and verified the story. Classification of this case has been changed to False Report to Peace Officer and the Sheriff’s Department is working with the Gilmer Police Department to assist them with their case.

Deputy Heath Richardson was dispatched to a location on CR 1570 in the Alba area in reference to a house blocking the roadway. Deputy Richardson determined that the move was properly permitted but had simply encountered an issue with trees blocking the way. Within ten minutes of the deputy’s arrival, the house was moved allowing vehicles to pass.

January 25

Deputy Josh O’Grady was dispatched to a storage building facility on FM 2869 in the Holly Lake area in reference to a burglary of a habitation. Upon the deputy’s arrival, he met with a man who advised that someone had entered his RV that was stored at the facility. The complainant accompanied Deputy O’Grady inside the RV where numerous cabinets and other items had been left in disarray. Photographs were taken at the scene and a list of missing items was compiled. This case has been referred to CID for additional investigation.

Deputy Dustin Moffett responded to a residence on FM 69 in the Quitman area in reference to a call from a mother who stated that her son was intoxicated on an unknown substance and was causing problems at the residence. The son was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. This case was cleared with the arrest of Daniel Elon Johnson, 19, of Como.

Deputy Moffett was dispatched to a location on CR 4460 in the Winnsboro area in reference to a copper theft. Upon the deputy’s arrival, he met with an employee of Wood County Electric who advised him that he had narrowed down the time frame when the theft took place and had been given information by a local landowner regarding a vehicle spotted in the area during the given time frame. The landowner also directed Deputy Moffett to a location where the vehicle could be found. Deputy Moffett located the vehicle and made contact with the owner who denied being in the area where the theft occurred and gave a consent for the vehicle to be searched. A thorough search was conducted and no stolen property was located in the vehicle.

January 26

Deputies Austin Cryer and Chris Turner were dispatched to a disturbance in progress at a residence on CR 4471 in the Winnsboro area. Upon the deputies’ arrival, they were advised that both the complainant and the actor had fled the scene prior to the deputies’ arrival. Within five minutes, the complainant returned to the scene and a deputy was able to take a statement from her as well as from a witness. Photographs of the injuries allegedly sustained in the assault were taken. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the actor. The case has been forwarded to CID where investigators will continue to work the case.

Deputy Josh O’Grady responded to the security office at Holly Lake Ranch in response to a burglary of a building. Deputy O’Grady was advised by the security officer that someone had broken in to a building near the golf shop and damaged a golf cart as well as the garage door. Suspects have been identified in this case and it has been turned over to CID.

Deputy O’Grady responded to a call from a residence on CR 1681 in the Alba area in reference to a burglary of a habitation. Once on the scene, the deputy was advised by the homeowner that he had returned to the residence after a brief absence to find a door kicked in and two drills missing. Investigators in CID will work the case from this point forward.

Deputy Austin Cryer responded to the Winnsboro Mother Frances Emergency room in reference to a dog bite. On his arrival, the deputy was informed that a 5 year old female had been bitten in the face causing lacerations near her left eye. The dog will be quarantined for a period of time and returned to its owner provided it proves to be healthy.

Deputy O’Grady was dispatched to a scrap yard on highway 80 in the Mineola area in reference to found property involving theft of copper. The deputy was met at the scrap yard by an employee of a local electric company who advised that he had received information that stolen copper was located at the scrap yard. The employee also advised that upon his arrival, he had observed neutral copper wire, used in power lines, lying in the floor. Employees of the scrap yard provided the name of an individual who had been selling copper there since 2011. A warrant had been issued in this case.

Deputy Sam Threadgill responded to a location on CR 1660 in the Alba area in reference to a report that small children were crawling on a floor which contained animal waste. Deputy Threadgill did not find the conditions as described and the case was closed.

January 27

Deputy Josh O’Grady was dispatched to a location on CR 3450 in the Hawkins area in reference to a report of a burglary of a habitation. The complainant informed the deputy that she had returned home to find curtains disturbed in the kitchen and the window screen undone. After looking around the residence, she found only a TV to be missing. Photographs were taken of the inside and outside of the residence and forwarded to CID to continued investigation.

Deputy Bradley Armendariz took a report from a homeowner on CR 2805 in the Mineola area in reference to a burglary of a habitation. The complainant advised that she had returned to her home to find that someone had taken a large amount of pet food and various small tools from the residence. Suspects have been developed in the case and it is ongoing.

January 28

Deputy Stephen Cates was dispatched to Jarvis Christian College in the Hawkins area in reference to a theft. Upon his arrival, the deputy was informed by a student that someone had come into his room and taken his cell phone while he was out. The complainant further stated that nothing else was missing from the room and he had already placed a call to AT&T to have the phone shut off. Deputy Cates recorded the phone’s serial number, make and model and forwarded to information to CID for continued investigation.

Deputy Cates was dispatched to a residence on CR 2210 in the Mineola area in reference to an attempted burglary of a vehicle. The complainant advised that he had found evidence in his garage that led him to believe that someone had tried to burglarize his truck and after inspecting his truck found a scratch to support his theory. The complainant also advised that nothing was missing from his truck and his aftermarket alarm had not been activated.

Deputy Kevin Atkinson was dispatched to a private road in the Winnsboro area in reference to criminal mischief. The complainant advised that an unknown intoxicated female had been parked on her property, but had just left and driven onto to her neighbors’ property. Deputy Atkinson left the initial location and drove to the second location where he found the female standing outside her vehicle. The owner of the second location requested the female be issued a Criminal Trespass Warning but declined to pursue charges against her for the damages caused to the property. This case was cleared with the arrest of Lindsay Nichole Arnett, 26, of Quinlan, for public intoxication.

Deputy Donivan South responded to a location at CR 2800 and CR 2820 in the Mineola area in reference to a theft. Deputy South met with the complainant who stated that when he had arrived at his property he noticed several things missing including a new tractor battery, a 5 gallon propane tank with torch attached, and a handicapped potty chair. Evidence was collected at the scene and will be turned over to investigators.

January 29

Deputy Donivan South was dispatched to the District Attorney’s office to meet with a complainant in reference to fraud. The complainant, who resides out of state, advised Deputy South that his elderly mother was currently incarcerated in the Wood County Jail on charges related to NSF checks that he believed she did not write. The complainant further advised that he was convinced his brother was responsible for depleting their mother’s accounts and writing the checks that lead to her arrest and he was currently working with the District Attorney’s office to get her released from jail. The complainant provided copies of bank documents in support of his belief. The fraud report was finished and forwarded to CID for investigation. The complainant’s mother was released to his care and custody.

Deputy South responded to a location on CR 3400 in the Hawkins area in reference to a structure fire. The Hawkins Fire Department was already on the scene when the deputy arrived, but was unable to save the structure. In speaking with neighbors, Deputy South determined that the home had been unoccupied since the owner was moved to an assisted living facility. Photos were taken at the scene and the case has been forwarded to the Fire Marshall for investigation.

Deputy Aaron Warren was dispatched to a residence on CR 1260 in the Lake Fork Area in reference to criminal mischief. The complainant advised Deputy Warren that she had discovered that her mailbox had been struck and destroyed by an unknown vehicle. While photographing the damage, Deputy Warren located a headlight lens on the ground among the wreckage and was able to identify it as belonging to a Toyota vehicle. Deputy Warren then drove the street attempting to locate a Toyota with front end damage and was able to locate a minivan at an address on the same county road as the complainant. The deputy made contact with the owner of the van and matched up the lens to the minivan. There was also paint on the vehicle matching the mailbox. The owner of the minivan stated that he would replace the mailbox for the complainant. Deputy Warren took photos of the damaged vehicle and reported back to the complainant with what he had discovered.

January 30

Deputy Chris Turner responded to a report of an assault at a location on CR 2132 in the Clear Lakes area. The complainant informed Deputy Turner that he had been assaulted earlier at another location after an altercation over medication. The complainant stated that he did not wish to pursue charges but wanted a Criminal Trespass Warning issued to the man who assaulted him. Deputy Turner issued Criminal Trespass Warnings to both men warning them to refrain from going onto each others property.

Deputy Kevin Atkinson was dispatched to a location on CR 2700 in the Mineola area in reference to a burglary of a habitation. The complainant advised the deputy that he had arrived home after a brief absence to find doors tampered with and some of his property missing. He further stated that while several of his roommate’s belongings had been tampered with, nothing was actually missing from the roommate’s room. Photos were taken at the scene and forwarded to CID and investigators will take control of the investigation from this point forward.

Deputy Chris Turner was dispatched to a location on CR 2388 in the Alba area in reference to illegal dumping. The complainant advised Deputy Turner that someone had discarded numerous bags of trash in a county right-of-way. He further stated that he had located a piece of trash with an individual’s name on it. The name was known to local law enforcement and photographs were taken at the scene. The deputy’s report will be forwarded to the litter abatement office for Wood County.

Lt. Robert Holland took a report from a walk-in complainant who advised that during a routine background check done on her by a prospective employer, it was discovered that her social security number was being used for employment purposes by a Hispanic male. The complainant provided the company name and contact information for the man’s current employer and also stated that she has done a check of her credit report and it appears that the man has not used her social security number for the purpose of making purchases. The complainant was advised to contact all three credit bureaus and take other measures to make sure she is protected.

Deputy Bradley Armendariz was dispatched to a residence on CR 2230 in reference to burglary of a habitation. The complainant advised that he had been recently hospitalized and returned home to find several firearms missing from the residence and some of his belongings out of place. Deputy Armendariz was able to develop several suspects and leads in this case and has forwarded all his information to CID so that the investigation may continue.